Why is it necessary to study colonial needs to understand deforestation?

Correct answer: Because the needs of railways, ships, revenue and plantations put pressure on forests

Under colonial rule, forests were cleared on a large scale for railway sleepers, shipbuilding, revenue-generating agriculture, and plantations such as tea and coffee. Therefore, colonial economic needs must be studied to understand deforestation. Option C is a close distractor, but weather alone was not the main cause of large-scale colonial deforestation. Exam tip: mention at least two examples, such as railways, ships, and plantations.